Barrel filler



Feb. 22, 1955 Filed Dec. 28, 1950 N. L. M LEOD EI'AL BARREL FILLER 5 Sheets-Sheet l Faber Z. Sam/"s INVENTORS HTTURNE Feb. 22, 1955 ac o j ETAL BARREL FILLER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 28, 1950 INVENTOR M @34 HTTURNEY 1955 N. L. M LEoD ETAL BARREL FILLER Filed Dec. 28, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 NORMA/V MAcLEOD ALFRED L. KR/EG AMOS L. KEELER ALEXANDER WERE/7'5 ROBERT W SOME/i5 1N VEN TO RS BARREL FILLER Norman L. MacLeod, Wenonah, Alfred Krieg, Woodbury, Amos L. Keeler and Alexander Wei-sits, Paulsboro, and Robert W. Somers, Glassboro, N. J., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Toledo Scale Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application December 28, 1950, Serial No. 203,178

8 Claims. (Cl. 249-63) This invention relates to an improved device and method for filling containers. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with a high-speed filler suitable for rapid introduction of liquid into drums, barrels, and similar shipping or storage vessels.

it has heretofore been the general practice to fill barrels, drums, cylinders and the like with liquid product by gravity flow thereof from overhead tanks. Such methods have the disadvantages of being relatively slow, timeconsuming and requiring the careful attention of at least one operator to discontinue flow when the capacity of the container has been reached.

Attempts to speed up the rate of liquid fiow by pumping under pressure have invariably led to air occlusion in the liquid product and this, in turn, has resulted in considerable foam production, particularly with liquids such as petroleum lubricating oils, malt-containing beverages, liquid soaps, detergents, and the like. The pressence of excessive foam in the container being filled has prevented maximum use of its designated capacity and has thus resulted in increased shipping rates and decreased storage space per unit volume of liquid. More important, undue foam formation has tended to slow down the filling operation, thereby defeating the very purpose of liquid feeding under pressure.

it is an object of this invention to provide means and method for rapid liquid-filling of containers. A further object is the provision of a filling device capable of rapidly introducing liquid into a shipping or storage container without entailing appreciable foam formation therein. A still further object is to provide a.substantially automatic barrel-filler affording eificient assemblyline operation and resulting in a greatly increased rate or" filling as compared with the equipment and methods heretofore employed.

The above and other objects which will be apparent to those skilled in the art are realized in accordance with the instant invention, a preferred embodiment of which is shown in the drawings attached hereto.

Figure l of the drawings shows a detailed elevational view partly in section of one form of the filling device of this invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the device during the filling operation.

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the device during the filling operation.

Figure 4 is a plan view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 shows in diagrammatic form a suitable piping and electrical control system for the filler described herein.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like numerals depict like parts, denotes an air cylinder. Within said air cylinder and concentric therewith is a filling tube 11 adapted to be driven through the air cylinder 10 by a piston 10a of the air cylinder that is rigidly attached to the filling tube 11. Within said filling tube and concentric therewith is an evacuating tube 12, having a foot valve 13 affixed to the lower end thereof. Foot valve 13 is provided with a valve seat 14 designed to interfit into the lower opening of filling tube 11 and when contiguous therewith to effect tight closure of said opening. Foot valve 13 is further provided with a hollow passage 15 in the lower portion thereof connecting the tip of the valve with the interior of evacuating tube 12.

Proximate its upper end, filling tube 11 is pierced by inlet opening 16 for introduction of the liquid prod- Sttes Patent 0 2,702,684 Patented Feb. 22, 1955 net. Evacuating tube 12 is rigidly afiixed at its upper end to hollow evacuating rod connector 17 provided with an evacuating connection 18. Rod connector 17 is attached to cylinder spring 19 through a lower rigid extension thereof 20. Foot valve air cylinder 21, supported on mounting bracket 22, overlies the cylinder spring 19 and, by means of its piston 21a (Figure 5), serves to compress and release said spring as the foot valve 13 is alternately opened and closed during the filling operation.

The filler is maintained in an upright position by attachment to support ring 23 affixed by bolt 24 to vertical support 25. The filler is also afiixed to vertical support 25 by guide collar 26 about filling tube 11. Secured to guide collar 26 is micro-switch trip rod 27. Surrounding trip rod 27 is microswitch trip rod guide 28 which is mounted in a vertical position by horizontal bar 29 affixed to vertical support 25. Trip rod guide 28 is provided with three slots 30, 31, and 32 so that direct contact may be respectively maintained in each of the slotted portions between micro-switch trip rod 27 and microswitch actuators 33, 34, and 35 which in turn gge respectively affixed to micro-switches 36, 37, and

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the container 39 to be filled suitably rests on a platform-type weighing scale 40 equipped with a scale dial 41 and an indicator 42. In this manner, the amount of liquid contained in the vessel being filled may be readily measured. The platform upon which the container directly rests is preferably equipped with rollers 43 in order that the container may be readily and speedily manipulated into and out of position before and after the filling operation. Adjustment of the scale for tare of the container may be accomplished either manually or automatically before beginning filling.

Referring more particularly to Figure 5, the operating sequence for the illustrated filling device is as follows: Filling tube 11 is placed in its uppermost position. The upper portion of foot valve cylinder 21 is exhausted, the lower portion being maintained at a line pressure of about 80 p. s. i. The upper portion of air cylinder 10 is maintained at a pressure of about 25 p. s. i. and the lower portion at a slightly greater pressure of about 30 p. s. i. A vacuum is applied to evacuating tube 12 through evacauting connection 18 and conduits 44 and 45. All relays and solenoid valves are de-energized.

The operator then places an empty container 39 on scale 40 and depresses start switch 46. This action energizes relay 47 which looks itself in through relay contact 48 and the lower micro-switch 33. Relay 47 also connects power through relay contact 49 to solenoid valve 50, which opens and allows pressure to escape from the lower portion of air cylinder 10 through pipes 51, and 52. Pressure in the upper portion of air cylinder '10, supplied through pipes 57, 84, and 85, and controlled by reducing valve 86 and pressure relief valve 87, drives filling tube 11 downward. Micro-switch trip rod 27 attached to filling tube 11 also descends, thereby making contact with micro-switch actuators 33, 34, and 35, and operating micro-switches 36, 3'7, and 38. The position of micro-switch 36 is such that when descending filling tube 11 has dropped to about the top of container 39, operation of the switch will take place. Such operation energizes solenoid valves 54, 55, and 56. Valve 56 shuts olf the vacuum being applied to evacuating tube 12 via conduits 44 and 45. Valve 54 vents evacuating tube 12 to filling tube 11. This allows any liquid drawn into evacuating tube 12 from a preceding filling operation to drain into container 39. Valve 55 cuts off air pressure being supplied to the lower portion of cylinder 10 through pipes 57, 58 and 51, thereby permitting better control of the bounce at the bottom of the stroke of descending filling tube 11. The air flow through pipes 58 and 51 is suitably controlled by reducing valve 59 and check valve 60.

As aforementioned, descent of filling tube 11 also oprates micro-switches 37 and 38. The position of micro-switch 38 is such that when descending filling tube 11 has dropped almost to the bottom of container 39, operation of the switch will take place. When microswitch 38 is operated, relay 47 is de-energized. This action in turn causes solenoid valve 50 to be de-energized and to bottle up the air contained in the bottom of cylinder 10. This cushion of air stops the descent of filling tube 11. Relay 61 also is energized by operation of micro-switch 38 and locks itself into the circuit through relay contacts 62. Relay 61 in turn through contacts 63 energizes solenoid valve 64 which serves to exhaust the lower portion of foot valve air cylinder 21 through conduits 65 and 66 and to apply pressure to the upper portion of cylinder 21 through conduits 67 and 68. The air pressure applied through conduit 67 is suitably controlled by pressure control 67a. The above action causes foot valve 13 to be opened, permitting liquid introduced into filling tube 11 through conduit 16a and opening 16 to flow into container 39.

When the container is filled with a predetermined weight of liquid corresponding to almost capacity, said predetermined weight of liquid being dependent on the volume of the container and on the specific gravity of the particular liquid being packaged, a magnet 69a on the front of scale indicator 42 operates magnetic switch 69. Such operation energizes relay 70 closes circuits through relay contacts 71 and 72. Relay 70 through contacts 72 energizes solenoid valve 73, causing air pressure to be applied to the lower portion of air cylinder 10 through pipes 57, 74, and 51, thereby effecting rise of filling tube 11. The air-flow through pipes 74 and 51 is suitably controlled by reducing valve 75 and check valve 76. The speed of upward movement is adjustable by the operator to cause filling tube 11 to rise to a point just below where micro-switch 37 will be operated, by the time the container has been filled to the desired weight. When the container has been filled to the desired weight, a magnet 770 on the rear of scale indicator 42 operates magnetic switch 77. This action energizes relay 78 which locks itself into the circuit by relay contacts 80. Operation of magnetic switch 77 through normally closed contacts 79 of relay 78 de-energizes relay 61 and solenoid valve 64, thereby causing a shut-off of liquid flow by closure of foot valve 13. Moreover, solenoid valve 82 is energized through contacts 81 of relay 78 by operation of magnetic switch 77 to apply full line pressure to the lower portion of air cylinder 10 through pipes 57, 83, 52, and 51, thus causing filling tube 11 to rapidly rise. When the filling tube rises to the top of the container, micro-switch 36 is released. This effects power removal from relay 70, solenoid valve 73, relay 78 and solenoid valve 82 to remove all rising pressures from the lower portion of cylinder 10. Also, solenoid valve 55 is de-energized to apply holding up pressure to the lower portion of cylinder 10, and solenoid valves 54 and 56 are de-energized to restore vacuum to the tip of foot valve 13, thereby preventing liquid from dripping from the end of the filling tube. The above operating sequence may be repeated any desired number of times, filling tube 11 alternately moving down and up during the filling of each container. The action is stopped by depressing stop switch 88.

Under-surface filling of liquids is rapidly and efficiently carried out with the filler of this invention by inserting the filling tube as near to the bottom of the container as possible and introducing the liquid below the surface so as to prevent the inclusion therein of air and hence substantially eliminate foam formation during the filling operation. As compared with conventional filling methods, considerably higher filling rates are achieved by use of the instant device. Liquids may be introduced into suitable containers with the present filling equipment at high pressures without encountering appreciable foam formation. Moreover, with the filler described herein, it is possible to fill a standard size container to its designated capacity. This is an accomplishment which was heretofore extremely difficult with certain fluids such as petroleum lubricating oils and brewed beverages due to the presence of foam. Withdrawal of the filling tube during the filling operation reduces displacement of liquid in the container and clingage of liquid to the filling tube. The inclusion of an evacuating tube to remove excess liquid from the tip of the foot valve has further afforded an increased rate of filling as well as minimizing drippage, loss of liquid product and subsequent clean-up operations.

While the foregoing description has been directed primarily to a filling device having a single filling tube and adapted for filling one container at a time, it is to be pointed out that the features of this invention are likewise applicable to multiple unit equipment having two or more filling tubes. Thus, a dual type filler provided with two filling tubes and adapted for simultaneous filling of two containers has in practice been found to afford a highly efficient device which is readily handled by one operator.

It is accordingly to be understood that the above description is merely illustrative of preferred embodiments of the invention, of which many variations may be made within the scope of the following claims by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit thereof.

We claim:

1. A filling device suitable for rapid introduction of liquid into a container without entailing appreciable foam formation therein, comprising the combination of an elongated vertically-positioned filling tube, a foot valve affixed to the lower end of said tube, an evacuating tube contained within said filling tube and communicating with the end of said foot valve, means for vertically lowering and raising said filling tube, means for applying atmospheric pressure to said evacuating tube as the filling tube is lowered and vacuum as the filling tube is lifted from the container, and means for opening and closing said foot valve, whereby liquid flowing through said filling tube while in its lowered position may be introduced into a container at a point near the bottom thereof to immerse the foot valve and the filling tube after the desired amount of liquid has been so introduced may be withdrawn from the container and drippage removed from the tip thereof by drawing the same into the interior of said evacuating tube by the application thereto of a vacuum.

2. A filling device suitable for rapid introduction of liquid into a container without entailing appreciable foam formation therein comprising, in combination, an elongated, vertically-positioned filling tube provided with an opening near its upper end for introduction of liquid, a foot valve afiixed to the lower end of said tube and adapted to control liquid flow therefrom, an evacuating tube longitudinally contained within said filling tube and communicating with the end of said foot valve, means for lowering said filling tube into a container, means for opening said foot valve while the filling tube is inserted in the container, means for maintaining the filling tube near the bottom of the container, means for slowly raising the filling tube from the container, means for closing said foot valve before the filling tube is withdrawn from the container, means for applying suction to said evacuating tube as the foot valve is withdrawn from the container, and means for effecting rapid withdrawal of the closed tube from the container whereby liquid flowing through said filling tube may be introduced in the container at a point near the bottom thereof and the filling tube may thereafter be slowly raised, reducing liquid displacement, then withdrawn from the container and drippage removed from the tip thereof by drawing the same into the interior of said evacuating tube by the application thereto of a vacuum.

3. A filling device suitable for rapid introduction of liquid into a container without entailing appreciable foam formation therein comprising. in combination, an elongated vertically-positioned filling tube provided with an opening near its upper end for introduction of liquid, a foot valve afiixed to the lower end of said tube, an evacuating tube longitudinally contained within said filling tube and communicating with the end of said foot valve, an air cylinder surrounding said filling tube and adapted to raise and lower the same by the application of varying air pressures, a second air cylinder communicating with said foot valve through said evacuating tube and adapted to open and close said foot valve by the application of varying air pressures, whereby liquid flowing through said filling tube while in its lowered position may be introduced into a container at a point near the bottom thereof and the filling tube after the desired amount of liquid has been so introduced may be withdrawn from the container and drippage removed from the tip thereof by drawing the same into the interior of said evacuating tube by the application thereto of a vacuum.

4. A device for rapid liquid-filling of containers, comprising an upright filling tube pierced with an opening for the introduction therein of liquid, a foot valve afiixed to the lower end of said tube, an air cylinder surrounding said filling tube and adapted to raise and lower the same by the application thereon of varying pressures, means to control the flow of air to the air cylinder, a second air cylinder communicating with said foot valve and adapted to open and close the same by the application thereon of varying pressures, whereby liquid flowing through said filling tube while in its lowered position may be introduced into a container at a point near the bottom thereof and the filling tube, after a predetermined amount of liquid has been so introduced, slowly raised from the container while liquid continues to flow there through and thereafter rapidly withdrawn from the container when the desired capacity has been attained.

5. A method for sub-surface introduction of liquid into a container, comprising inserting a filling tube to a point near the bottom of a container, flowing liquid through said inserted filling tube until a predetermined amount of liquid near container capacity has been so introduced and the end of the filling tube is immersed, slowly raising said filling tube until its end is at a point immediately below the liquid surface while continuing the flow of liquid, stopping said flow of liquid when capacity of the container has been attained, rapidly withdrawing said filling tube from the surface of introduced liquid, and removing adhering liquid from the end thereof by drawing said liquid into the interior thereof, thereby preventing drippage and loss of the liquid product.

6. A device for rapid liquid-filling of containers, comprising an upright filling tube pierced with an opening for the introduction therein of liquid, a foot valve affixed to the lower .end of said tube, an air cylinder surrounding said filling tube and adapted to raise and lower the same by the application thereon of varying pressures, a second air cylinder communicating with said foot valve and adapted to open and close the same by the application thereon of varying pressures, means for measuring the quantity of material in the container, and means controlled by the measuring means for varying the pressure in the air cylinders to cause withdrawal of the tube and closure of the foot valve whereby liquid flowing through said filling tube while in its lowered position may be introduced into a container at a point near the bottom thereof and the filling tube, after a predetermined amount of liquid has been so introduced, slowly raised from the container while liquid continues to flow therethrough and thereafter rapidly withdrawn from the container when the desired capacity has been attained.

7. A device for rapid liquid filling of containers to preset Weights comprising, a weighing scale, signal means responsive to the attainment of certain weights on the scale, a filling tube arranged for vertical movement and adapted to enter an opening of a container, means for raising and lowering the filling tube, a foot valve at the lower end of the filling tube, a control rod for actuating the foot valve, means for actuating the control rod, and control means responsive to said signal means for actuating the control rod means and the filling tube actuating means for first closing the valve and then withdrawing the filling tube as said certain weights are attained.

8. A device for rapid filling of liquid into containers to preset Weights comprising, a weighing scale adapted to receive the containers and indicate the weight of material therein, a filling tube mounted for vertical movement into the container on the scale, an air cylinder adapted to move the filling tube, valves adapted to control. the flow of air through said air cylinder and thus the speed of the tube, a foot valve at the bottom of the filling tube, means for operating the foot valve, means responsive to the final lowering of the filling tube for causing said means to open the foot valve and to actuate said valves to cause slow withdrawal of the filling tube, and means responsive to said weighing scale upon the attainment of the desired weight to cause said foot valve means to close the foot valve and to cause said air cylinder to rapidly raise said filling tube.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 940,366 Schlangen Nov. 16, 1909 1,779,739 Kantor et al Oct. 28, 1930 2,003,869 Stegemann June 4, 1935 2,011,217 Gebhardt Aug. 14, 1935 2,033,586 Noble Mar. 10, 1936 2,103,817 Johnson Dec. 28, 1937 2,107,987 Johnson Feb. 8, 1938 2,126,563 Lee Aug. 9, 1938 2,170,249 Misner Aug. 22, 1939 2,208,028 Harrington July 16, 1940 2,264,562 Bryant et a1. Dec. 2, 1941 

